Mousseline wrote:
So! I'm currently looking for an agent in LA that has a high imdb rating and actually has some clientele of prominence. Think william morris, caa, united artists, paradigm, etc. anyone have any information?


thaaaaaaaaaanks

Contact the agencies you want to work with, see what happens?

Also, do your homework (google search, research, etc)

Risen Phoenix Photo wrote:
Is this for acting or modeling?

this.

Risen Phoenix Photo wrote:
Is this for acting or modeling?

acting of course. William Morris, Creative Artists Agency all cast mainstream television and film.

Paolo Diavolo wrote:
I have information.
Lots of it.
What kind do you believe would be helpful?
What are you trying to get at?


this.

names would be helpful, trying to get a referral!

Mousseline wrote:

acting of course. William Morris, Creative Artists Agency all cast mainstream television and film.

Why do you think that there is a trick or secret? There is an extensive amount of information about working in the acting/entertainment industry. There are auditions, showcases, acting ensembles/workshops etc. where performers gain both experience and contacts. If you consider those tricks or secrets--feel free. Otherwise it is a pursuit that requires diligence and effort. Possibly those are the tricks and secrets.

Mousseline wrote:

names would be helpful, trying to get a referral!

I don't think that anybody on MM would be willing to put their neck out for you and refer you to a personal contact, except for the one or two people who have actually met you.

One influential MM member got even stood up by you.

Follow the advise and do your research via Google, look at their submission guidelines etc.

Good luck!

udor wrote:

I don't think that anybody on MM would be willing to put their neck out for you and refer you to a personal contact, except for the one or two people who have actually met you.

One influential MM member got even stood up by you.

Follow the advise and do your research via Google, look at their submission guidelines etc.

Good luck!

I've rejected offers but I've never stood anyone up, ever.

Dan Howell wrote:

Why do you think that there is a trick or secret? There is an extensive amount of information about working in the acting/entertainment industry. There are auditions, showcases, acting ensembles/workshops etc. where performers gain both experience and contacts. If you consider those tricks or secrets--feel free. Otherwise it is a pursuit that requires diligence and effort. Possibly those are the tricks and secrets.

There's a big difference between casting a local play and a martin Scorsese film, and I want to meet the people who are doing the latter.

Mousseline wrote:

There's a big difference between casting a local play and a martin Scorsese film, and I want to meet the people who are doing the latter.

Casting doesn't work that way. Getting an agent is simple-they either view a reel or it is just the headshot that causes them to want to meet you. Agents in Hollywood are very aggressive. Very. You can send them a headshot and resume and they won't be offended. They might not respond. You have to go to open castings at every chance you get and you have to bring your headshot. It's like your business card. Expecting someone on MM to refer you to an agent is something that is unlikely to happen. Relationships in Hollywood are complicated and important. I wouldn't recommend you to someone in casting, or to any directors I know, because I don't know you. I don't know if you can act. I have met people who are the real thing. And if any of my friends spoke to me about a casting I might recommend one of them because they have a track record and they audition . . . a lot. Bye.

Mousseline wrote:

There's a big difference between casting a local play and a martin Scorsese film, and I want to meet the people who are doing the latter.

Guess you missed the diligence and effort part.

LA StarShooter wrote:
Casting doesn't work that way. Getting an agent is simple-they either view a reel or it is just the headshot that causes them to want to meet you. Agents in Hollywood are very aggressive. Very. You can send them a headshot and resume and they won't be offended. They might not respond. You have to go to open castings at every chance you get and you have to bring your headshot. It's like your business card. Expecting someone on MM to refer you to an agent is something that is unlikely to happen. Relationships in Hollywood are complicated and important. I wouldn't recommend you to someone in casting, or to any directors I know, because I don't know you. I don't know if you can act. I have met people who are the real thing. And if any of my friends spoke to me about a casting I might recommend one of them because they have a track record and they audition . . . a lot. Bye.

privately messaging me a name I could send my headshot and resume is not that unrealistic. That's what I'm looking for here. I do have an agency that I work with, but they aren't really doing what I 'd like to be in, though.

Mousseline wrote:
I've rejected offers but I've never stood anyone up, ever.

That's not the perception of the photographer you stood up, and not according your own account that you didn't feel like, but didn't make clear to him that you won't be at the antique car show, where he has planned a shoot that fits your desire to work in a vintage setting.

It appears that you are unreliable as a model, with no real desire to update your port, despite countless offers of photographers to help you out.

I guess you don't know what a recommendation means!

If I recommend someone for an A-list gig or contact, I put my own reputation on the line. If I refer someone I have never worked with, or who has a questionable reputation, I may just lose that contact and won't be able to refer someone who is really worthy of the connection.

But, hey... you are The Mousseline, the old soul... I am just a shutter release pusher (with contacts)...

udor wrote:
That's not the perception of the photographer you stood up, and not according your own account that you didn't feel like, but didn't make clear to him that you won't be at the antique car show, where he has planned a shoot that fits your desire to work in a vintage setting.

It appears that you are unreliable as a model, with no real desire to update your port, despite countless offers of photographers to help you out.

I guess you don't know what a recommendation means!

If I recommend someone for an A-list gig or contact, I put my own reputation on the line. If I refer someone I have never worked with, or who has a questionable reputation, I may just lose that contact and won't be able to refer someone who is really worthy of the connection.

But, hey... you are The Mousseline, the old soul... I am just a shutter release pusher (with contacts)...

I didn't stand him up, I rejected his offer. That was actually for a workshop that was going to take a few day and I politely declined.

Zack Zoll wrote:
I think you misunderstand, Moose.

Part of the reason why nobody wants to refer you is because they don't know your skills, sure. But it's not because you might suck and they're acting as a gatekeeper or receptionist.

It's because they don't know that you won't name drop them. And if you do, and then you suck, then there is the risk of the agent getting pissed off at the person that referred you for wasting their time, and then damaging the relationship they have. I'm not saying you're a bad actor, but you only get so many favours in life ... Why risk them on an unknown, when you might need to call that favour in later?

I have similar issues myself, even though I'm a teacher. I have students and local businesses contact me regularly for internships or work. About 90% of the time, I say I can't help them.

The fact is that maybe I could. But maybe I can't. And if I blow my good standing on that 90%, then I have no favours to call in that 10% of the time when I know somebody would be a really good fit. So I do nothing, unless I know people well enough to be reasonably sure that everyone will benefit, and that I'm not going to burn any bridges.

As they say, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

I understand that.

Dan Howell wrote:
Why do you think that there is a trick or secret? There is an extensive amount of information about working in the acting/entertainment industry. There are auditions, showcases, acting ensembles/workshops etc. where performers gain both experience and contacts. If you consider those tricks or secrets--feel free. Otherwise it is a pursuit that requires diligence and effort. Possibly those are the tricks and secrets.

Mousseline wrote:
There's a big difference between casting a local play and a martin Scorsese film, and I want to meet the people who are doing the latter.

Dan Howell wrote:
Guess you missed the diligence and effort part.

The vital part is - talent. There are plenty of other people who apply the diligence and effort for many, many years and it never happens. Despite that - it still takes talent, Then taking that talent to where it can be seen by someone that matters.

A decent reel helps. Most of it is participating in lots of castings and local plays and working your way up to gain parts in theater and films, constantly getting more experience and being more visible. The instant discoveries and sudden fame from a simple introduction is rare. Even with the right introduction to the right people, that will not get you a second glance unless you have that talent or spark to catch their attention.

Mousseline wrote:
getting a big celebrity agent

Why would a "big celebrity" agent take on someone unless they had potential talent?

DOUGLASFOTOS wrote:
Imdb is Public Driven.  And it is Owned by Amazon.


If you can't spell Martin's name right.  Oh My Lanta.

LA is huge...but in the Casting Department...we all know who you are.

I didn't spell Marty's name wrong.....

Mousseline wrote:

I didn't spell Marty's name wrong.....

my bad thought i saw two s's together...

LeonardG Photography wrote:
The vital part is - talent. There are plenty of other people who apply the diligence and effort for many, many years and it never happens. Despite that - it still takes talent, Then taking that talent to where it can be seen by someone that matters.

I guess if you want to speak in useless platitudes...in the strictest sense talent is a vital part. I think what you fail to grasp is that the question was about marketing not performance. Guess I can dumb it down for you. It takes effort and persistence to to get a foot in the door (not a magic referral or being helicoptered in on an agent as the OP believes). Hell, even finding which door is the right door takes insight and effort--not a MM posting.

Talent/marketability/look/chrisma/competition/timing are factors that will effect acceptance, but that wasn't the question. She wanted a magic pill.

Dan Howell wrote:
I guess if you want to speak in useless platitudes...in the strictest sense talent is a vital part. I think what you fail to grasp is that the question was about marketing not performance. Guess I can dumb it down for you. It takes effort and persistence to to get a foot in the door (not a magic referral or being helicoptered in on an agent as the OP believes). Hell, even finding which door is the right door takes insight and effort--not a MM posting.

Talent/marketability/look/chrisma/competition/timing are factors that will effect acceptance, but that wasn't the question. She wanted a magic pill.

I get what you're saying but an MM post doesn't do any harm.

Blaire_ wrote:
I can only speak for myself, but I would never hand over a valuable contact to somebody I couldn't vouch for.  And a person who would ask for it before proving herself to be worthwhile wouldn't likely ever be somebody I would vouch for. 


Here is how you get into it.  You move to LA, or British Columbia (the second hollywood, but small knit).  You contact the networks and the production companies and you ask for a job.  ANY job.  You could be the doughnut fetcher.  If they don't have a job for you, ask for an internship.  You do the hard work for free.  Yes, free.  Then you learn everybody involved.  You know who they are, what they do, what they like, what they don't like, and you make sure that you are the best worker they have ever seen.  During all this, you should be honing your craft any way you can.  Find auditions on your own, send out head shots, participate in the industry.  Eventually, you ask for a job (or a better job).   By that time, you should know some of the decision making people.  Once you have a bit of a repoir with people there, you could probably find out what is coming up as far as auditions go. 

You could then ask the decision makers for an audition.  You would have done it on your own merit, too.

::crickets::

Can't you just give her a name? The clock is ticking.

Mousseline wrote:
So! I'm currently looking for an agent in LA that has a high imdb rating and actually has some clientele of prominence. Think william morris, caa, united artists, paradigm, etc. anyone have any information?


thaaaaaaaaaanks

The question is:  Is a major agency like William Morris and United Artists looking for YOU ?

Probably not . . . and I'll tell you why.

It's nothing personal . . . it's just that this town is overcrowded with talent of all sorts. Most never work more than once or twice a year (if that). Most all have other jobs (restaurant waiters) that allow them to take time off for interviews and production.

Until an actor/talent is making upwards of 250K, it's doubtful that any large agency or agent would be interested in investing the time it takes to develop new talent.

The usual way that actors network and get connected, is to take workshops and do showcase plays.

Sometimes an actor will get discovered and become an overnight success (after many years of hard work and preparation)

Don't be discouraged . . . everybody wants to start at the top . . . but if you don't try, you are guaranteed of failure.

KM

Risen Phoenix Photo wrote:
So I take it if you have a SAG card you have some time on film in a speaking capacity. Or do you have a commercial national or other wise you can show the agent.

Though most film work requires a SAG card (especially in LA), there is non Union work, and also Taft-Hartley. I have done several commercials and industrial films and I am non-union.

Risen Phoenix Photo wrote:
People won't help you if they don't know anything about your acting chops. What plays have you been in do you have an Aftra card for theatre work.

AFTRA isn't for theatre work.

American Federation of TELEVISION and RADIO Artists.

Ken Marcus Studios wrote:
The question is:  Is a major agency like William Morris and United Artists looking for YOU ?

Probably not . . . and I'll tell you why.

It's nothing personal . . . it's just that this town is overcrowded with talent of all sorts. Most never work more than once or twice a year (if that). Most all have other jobs (restaurant waiters) that allow them to take time off for interviews and production.

Until an actor/talent is making upwards of 250K, it's doubtful that any large agency or agent would be interested in investing the time it takes to develop new talent.

The usual way that actors network and get connected, is to take workshops and do showcase plays.

Sometimes an actor will get discovered and become an overnight success (after many years of hard work and preparation)

Don't be discouraged . . . everybody wants to start at the top . . . but if you don't try, you are guaranteed of failure.

KM

I'm sure they're not looking for me bit if someone gave me a name I could find THEM and take a stab at it, that's all.

Mousseline wrote:
I'm sure they're not looking for me bit if someone gave me a name I could find THEM and take a stab at it, that's all.

They are ALL over the net.  Why are you not looking? Why you need mm. Where is your Playboy Connections?

Mousseline wrote:
I'm sure they're not looking for me bit if someone gave me a name I could find THEM and take a stab at it, that's all.

I think what many are saying (in various ways) is that any effort aiming at what you perceive as TOP AGENTS that comes at the expense of more grounded marketing and networking is wasted or at least misplaced efforts.

Frankly, that search for the magic bullet or golden ticket is, in my view, lazy, not to mention unproductive. Take the advice or don't take the advice. You have a dozen people saying basically the same thing and you persist in shutting them down. What would you say about a photographer who only wants the number for the fashion editor at Vogue and nothing else? I know what I'd call them...

Fotopia wrote:
"Big time celebrity agents" are by definition agents for big time celebrities.

+100

Greg Kolack wrote:

Though most film work requires a SAG card (especially in LA), there is non Union work, and also Taft-Hartley. I have done several commercials and industrial films and I am non-union.


AFTRA isn't for theatre work.

American Federation of TELEVISION and RADIO Artists.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/s … sag-306398